FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Two of the worst things that can happen to chicks are:
Running out of water
Soaked litter due to spilled water
Don't let this happen to yours!

SALMONELLA

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that is carried in the intestines of animals and can be shed into the environment. People get sick from salmonella by hand to mouth contact. The best way to prevent getting salmonella is to wash your hands well after handling or taking care of your birds (by glasco). And, to cook your food thoroughly.

After you touch ducklings or chicks, wash your hands so you don't get sick!

  • Contact with live poultry (chicks, chickens, ducklings, ducks, geese and turkeys) can be a source of human salmonella infections.
  • Salmonella germs can cause a diarrheal illness in people that can be mild, severe or even life threatening.
  • Chicks, ducklings and other live poultry can carry Salmonella germs and still appear healthy and clean.
  • Salmonella germs are shed in their droppings and can easily contaminate their bodies and anything in areas where birds live and roam.

Protect yourself and your family from germs.


DO
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
  • Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer until you are able to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Clean any equipment or materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry outside the house, such as cages or feed or water containers.

DON'T
  • Don't let children younger than 5 years of age, elderly persons or people with weak immune systems handle or touch chicks, ducklings or other live poultry.
  • Don't let live poultry inside the house, in bathrooms or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served or stored, such as kitchens or outdoor patios.
  • Don't snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth or eat and drink around live poultry.

ESTIMATED FEED NEEDS FOR STANDARD SIZE CHICKEN BREEDS

(NOT BROILERS OR BANTAMS)

100 CHICKS WILL EAT
AMOUNT of FEED
10 LBS First Week
20 LBS Second Week
30 LBS Third Week
40 LBS Fourth Week

100 CHICKS WILL EAT
TOTAL AMOUNT of FEED
100 LBS TOTAL First 4 Weeks
360 LBS TOTAL First 8 Weeks
765 LBS TOTAL First 12 Weeks
1,255 LBS TOTAL First 16 Weeks
1,825 LBS TOTAL First 20 Weeks
2,475 LBS TOTAL First 24 Weeks

For 24 weeks, figure on feeding a total of 49-50 50-lb bags of feed

ESTIMATED WATER NEEDS FOR STANDARD SIZE CHICKEN BREEDS

(NOT BROILERS OR BANTAMS)

100 CHICKS WILL DRINK
1 Gallon per Day at one week
2 Gallon per Day at 2-4 weeks
3 Gallon per Day at 5-8 weeks